I met with Thaddeus' teacher on Tuesday for a parent-teacher conference. I was a little worried about what she might say, because Tad isn't exactly on level playing ground when it comes to Kindergarten. It isn't level because unlike a lot of his classmates, this is the first time Thaddeus has ever been in any kind of school setting.Before this year, I had never taken part of any kind of preschool. Co-op or otherwise.I don't do playdates, or playgroups, or mommy-and-me classes, or kindermusik.... Read Full Story

1. Ikea As-Is!I don't know if I've sung my praises for the Ikea As-Is section before, but I feel like I must do so now. I was there this very morning and scored a very nice bookcase in perfect condition for half the original price. I snatched it right up and got the stink eye from another lady who then had to ask me if I realized how great a find that was. Yes, stinky eye lady, I KNOW. 2. Unpacked!I am OFFICIALLY all the way unpacked. Right after I finagled that fabulous bookcase into my off... Read Full Story

Every now and then it's just so easy to use bullet points to sum up my life... Today is one of those days.*We had Halloween. It was great. We went trick or treating 3 times and have unbelievable amounts of candy. In turn, any child that rang our doorbell received gobs and gobs of goodies.*Halloween costuming was as follows: Taylor - Supergirl, Daniel - G.I. Joe, Blayne - started out as a Sock Hop Girl and ended up as a Pretty Pink Princess, Thaddeus - Red Power Ranger.*DadGuy is home! That sh... Read Full Story

We're on the tail end of the sick train. On the one hand, no more throwing up. On the other hand, no more 5 hour naps.I really miss naps.Other things I realize I've missed of late.Diaper bags. Guys, I no longer carry a ginorm diaper bag with me wherever I go. I also don't have extra clothes in the back of the car, a bottle warmer in the glove compartment, emergency ziploc bags, or a *gasp* stroller.The back of my car? Has a yoga mat and free weights.My purse? Has my wallet, keys, a stray toy ... Read Full Story

Thaddeus got sent home from school today. He wasn't feeling well, so he went to the nurse. She took his temperature. I had to come get him. He's pretty miserable. Of course, this means that we didn't get it from him. Because this makes the first people to get it, THE BABIES. (And yes, I completely refer to my youngest children as my babies)Daniel and Taylor were the first casualties. They don't go anywhere EXCEPTThe church nursery.Well, Danny has preschool, but the exposure timing of 4-7 days... Read Full Story

I woke up to a screaming Daniel. Clutching his ear, high fever, clammy hands. In the time it took for me to run downstairs to get the numbing antibiotic drops for his ear and back up, his ear drum had ruptured. There was blood and pus all over my pillows and sheets.I am grateful for plastic matress covers.Taylor was feverish. She was also limping. I looked at her foot. No splinters, no bruising, no obvious injury. She was tired and had to be carried down the stairs.I am grateful for a svelte ... Read Full Story

New here? Missed some of the story? Go here to start at the beginning. -- ♥ --Of course, I was the last person to get on the plane. The last person by a long shot, the last person for whom the flight was delayed. The last person that walked all the way to the back to try and finagle her carry on into the overhead compartment. The last person that then had to walk all the way back up to the front of the airplane and ever so politely climb over two other people to get to her window seat... Read Full Story

I have this friend.Heather.She and I are having a little social "experiment" if you will.If I'm right (I AM right) the next 30 days should be interesting.If she's right, well....Either way, you should probably check her out.And if you happen to correctly guess WHAT our little experiment is all about, I'll send you a little something something. Copyright © 2007-2009 The Bingham Diaries All Rights Reserved Read Full Story

Every afternoon, a bit before 3:30, we step out the door and head over to the bus stop to meet our most favorite kindergartener.Every day, we pause to examine the neighbor's flowers. And their cat. And their holiday decorations. And that leaf right there. It just showed up and it simply MUST be the most beautiful and fall-iest leaf that ever there was.Every day, we run and skip and even meander over to that coveted piece of grass.We hold hands, making a human trail of Bingham's, and giggle ou... Read Full Story

if you're new, or want to catch up, links to the entire story can be found here. ****I hardly slept that night. I was nervous, and excited, but wanted to play cool.In the morning, my mom took me to the airport."Now remember, you don't have to do anything you don't want to do.""I know Mom. I'll be fine. Thanks. I'll see you later."I took my bag out of the car and headed into the airport terminal.I had to be there a minimum of two hours early. It had been a little over a month since the Septemb... Read Full Story